Abstract

Background and aims. Oral potentially malignant disorders constitute one of the major oral health problems in India. Few studies have been undertaken on potentially malignant disorders in central India, specifically in Bhopal. Hence the present study was conducted to assess the oral potentially malignant disorders in the patients attending hospitals of Bhopal, India.

Methods. Four hundred subjects diagnosed with oral potentially malignant disorders were included in this study. Detailed information was gathered in a proforma and emphasis was given to the various addictions and clinical findings.

Results. Among the 400 oral potentially malignant disorders diagnosed during the study period, males constituted 78% (n=312) and females 22% (n=88). The mean age of the patients was 33.50 ± 13.24 years for males and 42.60 ± 14.18 years for females. The most commonly affected age group was 21-30 years (37.5%), followed by 31-40 years (25%) and 41-50 years (13%). 87.75% patients were addicted to chewing of betel nut and/or tobacco and/or betel quid, 15.25% were addicted to smoking bidi and/or cigarette, 15.25% were addicted to chewing and smoking, 1% was addicted to chewing and alcohol, and 0.25% was addicted to alcohol and smoking.

Conclusion. In this study, an increase in clinical grading of oral potentially malignant disorders was found with severity and duration of addiction habit. In order to decrease the prevalence of these disorders, it is imperative to continue educational campaigns at national and international level to impart education to the public about the risk factors and early signs and symptoms of the oral potentially malignant disorders.